Stewart Angus

The UK Machair Habitat Action Plan: Progress and problems

Summary Machair is a complex dune grassland habitat confined to Scotland and Ireland. With two-thirds of the world area of machair in Scotland, the UK has a special responsibility for this resource, and the UK Machair Habitat Action Plan identifies a range of realistic management targets and actions aimed at protecting and enhancing the habitat. Machairs conservation importance is substantially reliant on active, traditional management, but quantitative and location-based information on management is rarely available, and this will have an impact on any numerical targets in the Plan. Though progress has been made on many of the actions, further measurable progress will very much depend, not only on improvements in the information base, but also in the understanding of relationships between land use and biodiversity. Progress to date on actions and targets is evaluated, and problems are identified.

Modern Seaweed Harvesting and Gathering in Scotland: The Legal and Ecological Context

ABSTRACT This paper reviews the legal and ecological implications of seaweed harvesting in Scotland, in the context of current attention to potential approaches for its future regulation. Definitions of the different forms of seaweed removal are provided. It is believed that small-scale harvesting is sustainable provided that certain guidance is followed. Renewed harvesting of the wrack Ascophyllum nodosum is of only minor concern that can be addressed by a low level of monitoring. Recent interest in commercial harvesting of the kelp Laminaria hyperborea, however, has considerable implications for the environment that are examined, and phased development of this industry is suggested, with progression informed and guided by monitoring.

Developing a saltmarsh monitoring methodology to meet multiple policy and management objectives in Scotland

To meet Scotland’s conservation and legislative requirements to monitor and set management objectives for saltmarsh habitat, a national survey was developed jointly funded by Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. This national survey focussed on developing a fine scale vegetation map of all Scottish saltmarshes over 3 ha, which was digitised using GIS software. A condition monitoring protocol was also developed to assess the health of key ecological parameters of the saltmarsh system. A total of 7,704 ha of coastal habitat was surveyed as part of the project, which included 5,840 ha of saltmarsh vegetation and 1,864 ha of associated vegetation. The condition monitoring protocol results show that targets relating to the presence of built structures and transition integrity are not achieved more frequently than others. Targets for stock grazing intensity; the maintenance of saltmarsh extent; and poaching damage are also not achieved frequently. Further research is required to accurately reflect the condition of pioneer saltmarsh.